Carlton can fill the gaping hole left by the recent departures of several big-name forwards by taking a team-based approach in attack next season, new coach Brendon Bolton says.
In the past three player exchange periods, the Blues have lost Eddie Betts (Adelaide) and Jarrad Waite (North Melbourne) to free agency, traded Lachie Henderson at his request to Geelong, along with Jeff Garlett (Melbourne) and Troy Menzel (Adelaide).
Henderson's exit at the end of last season leaves Levi Casboult as Carlton's only established key forward, given former Bulldog Liam Jones managed just nine games in his first season at Ikon Park this year, winning senior selection once after round nine.
But Bolton is optimistic the Blues can kick enough goals next season if they follow the team-first approach of the competition's best forward lines.
Gallery: Blues on the Gold Coast
"I think every footy club is asking the question of how you kick more goals," Bolton said from Carlton's Gold Coast training camp on Tuesday.
"We've just drafted some young talent in that area. They're not going to be the answer straight away – let's be really clear about that – we'd like to see some little sprouts each year, but we have got key forwards in Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay.
"But what I do know about successful forward lines is this – it's about the process of how they're working together, and working together can sometimes be a little bit more fruitful than people realise.
"So we're looking at our system and we're really going to drive our system."
Forwards coach Shane Watson explains some tactics to Andrejs Everitt as coach Brendon Bolton watches on. (Photo: AFL Media)
Bolton has also been buoyed by the start Jones has made to his second pre-season at Carlton.
The Blues coach said the 198cm forward, who kicked just seven goals in 2015, had impressed him with his "physicality" on the training track so far this pre-season.
Bolton said for Jones to force his way back into Carlton's team he had to continue that aggressive approach and improve his endurance.
"If he keeps committing to that, I think selection and those things (will) take care of themselves," he said.
"He's just got to zone in on the process and not worry about, 'Am I in or out of the team?'
"(He needs to) focus on his strengths, what he does have, work hard on his endurance and keep being physical like he has been and hopefully that takes care of itself."
Former Giants tall Kristian Jaksch could also be used alongside Casboult in attack at times next season, but Bolton envisages him floating between the forward line and defence.
As for draftees McKay (200cm), Curnow and Jack Silvagni (both 191cm), Bolton said the Blues would not rush their development but had told them to aim high in 2016.
"I've said to the first-years, 'Never put a ceiling on how quickly you can make it,' but by the same token that's got to be tempered by when they are ready in terms of their development and progress," Bolton said.
"So we'll coach them hard and see where they're at and make those decisions along the way.
"It would be silly to lock in how many (games) they'll play next year because you're talking hypotheticals."
